Minister Han Changfu underscores importance of agricultural talents in modern agriculture
DATE:2016-02-26 SOURCE:Information Office, MOA
MOA top leaders held a meeting with the winners of the 5th China Agricultural Excellence Awards and the 1st Top 10 National Agricultural Technology Extension Pacesetters in Beijing on Feb. 25, 2016, encouraging them to pioneer agricultural innovation and contribute to agricultural modernization.
Minister Han Changfu stressed that people, especially the high caliber personnel, are the primary resources in the development of any sector. Priority shall be given to the primary resources, thus creating a lively situation in which agricultural development is facilitated by agricultural talents and agricultural talents are fostered in agricultural development.
Minister Han pointed out that the external and internal environment for agricultural development is experiencing profound changes, and China is at a critical stage in accelerating the transition from conventional agriculture to modern agriculture. At this stage, we should adopt the concepts of innovation-driven development, balanced development, green development, open development and development for all. To adapt to the new context, we need to transform agricultural development modes from mainly pursuing quantity growth to giving balanced emphasis on quantity, quality and efficiency, from mainly counting on agricultural input to relying on technology innovation and the improved labor force, from overconsumption of resources to sustainable development. MOA will implement the strategy of innovation-driven agricultural development and strategy of enhancing agriculture with high quality human resources.
Minister Han stressed the critical role of technology innovation in healthy agricultural development. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, MOA will promote the structural reform of agricultural science and technology system, featuring quantity, quality, safety and sustainability. Reform on agricultural technology extension system is also to be strengthened at grassroots level in rural areas. Technology innovation and extension shall aim at improving quality and efficiency, advancing the shift in agricultural development modes, ensuring steady grain output and farmers'' income growth and promoting sustainability.
Minister Han also pledged to enhance the development of agricultural science and technology force. To this end, MOA will take a range of measures to provide sustained support to agricultural science and technology personnel, and intensified support to research teams led by leading experts in particular research areas. It will create an enabling and competitive environment to produce more outstanding innovative personnel, and various platforms to facilitate research and development, including key laboratories and innovation alliances. An evaluation and rewarding system will also developed to encourage innovation and translation of research outcomes into applied technologies.
Vice Minister Zhang Taolin announced the decision to commend the winners of the awards and to fund innovation activities. MOA Senior Advisor and Director-General of the Department of Personnel and Labor Bi Meijia moderated the meeting.
